A few months ago, I mentioned the irony that I am a worship leader but bored with worship music as I know it. I’m just in the beginning stages of re-thinking this…but I think I’m beginning to understand why.
Worship has always been at the foundation of our ministry, and part of our life-calling. We’ve led worship and taught the principles of worship to many people in many places. And I have experienced God’s presence in remarkable ways in the atmosphere of worship. But now I’m getting little glimpses of understanding that tell me that all this stuff I thought I was expert in has just been barely scratching the surface. And I think the reason this is dawning on me is the very fact that I am bored with all this. My heart for God hasn’t gone away, but it’s like all this just isn’t enough anymore.
There’s enough stirring in my soul that it’s probably going to take several months and numerous blog posts to process it all…but at this time, there are two thoughts coming to the forefront…
First…I’m considering the fact that although worship has been at the heart of our faith for thousands of years, the particular corporate worship format we use nowadays–the worship leader planning a songlist and directing a group–is a fairly new concept. If the church has spent most of its days without this format…it simply can’t be the end-all-be-all of our worship. And because I’ve known no better…I’ve treated it as such in the past.
It’s not that there’s anything inherently wrong with this way of “doing worship”, and I do believe (and have taught) that the resurgence of worship in the past few decades is part of the fulfillment of the “restoration of David’s Tabernacle” discussed in Acts 15. But we must still differentiate between method and principle, and prophetic implications aside–our way of leading worship is still a method. And methods are subject to change. So I’m pondering what it looks like to see worship through a wider lens.
Second…as much as I love the creative expressions of passionate love for Jesus in corporate worship, I have to face the fact that “loving God” in Scripture goes a whole lot deeper than just telling God we love Him, or singing to Him about it. Co-heir wrote a post about this, and that has stirred my thoughts as well. The reality is, not only is there little precedent in Scripture to support a lip-service-only form of worship, but on more than one occasion God reprimands His people for presenting religious offerings of worship without living out their faith in the weightier matters, like social justice and righteous living.
In addition…the song lyrics we do have in Scripture (e.g., the Psalms) are a lot deeper than the superficial “Jesus-I-love-You-so-much” lyrics we are writing today–and that makes me think we’re missing something. Some people have come out in criticism of the almost romantic way we sing about Jesus nowadays. I see a divine romance playing out in Scripture, so I’m not so opposed to the romantic element, as long as it’s balanced and isn’t the only way we approach God (see this post for clarification). But I do understand those criticisms when we’re singing songs that treat our love for Jesus almost like a teenage boy-girl infatuation, with little else to back it up. Passion runs deeper than infatuation, and we need to understand the difference. A deep and true passion for Jesus will motivate us to do more than just sing love songs to Him.
And that begs the question: What truly demonstrates our love for God beyond just the corporate worship element?
I think the answer lies in yet another question: How did God show His love for us?
1 Jn. 4:9-11 (NASB): By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we love God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Jn. 15:13 (NASB): Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
How did God show His love for us? The best example we have is that He laid down His life for us.
There’s so much more that could be said here…but I’m understanding that if all of life can be worship (read: showing love) unto God, then I don’t want to limit it to the churchy acts of worship. I think that’s why I’ve been bored with it–I am longing for something deeper. I want to worship the Lord in the weightier matters, the many ways I can find to lay my life down for Him–things like loving the people He loves, walking uprightly, practicing simple obedience, nurturing the character of Christ in my own heart.
Oh, I’ve always believed in all this to some extent, and tried to walk in these things to the best of my understanding; but I don’t think I’ve drawn the connection until now that these weightier things are part of worship. Now that this is dawning on me, I realize that if all I focus on is this perceived calling to lead worship–if that’s all I do, and all I teach others to do–I am building an empty shell on a shallow foundation. I believe this understanding is part of the “more” I’ve been searching for.
It certainly is a good thing to come together and worship Jesus corporately, whatever form that takes; but infatuation with Jesus is not enough. I think that it is the weightier things behind it that cause our worship to be out of a true passion.
(Photo by vagabond9.)
Wayward Son
Musician. Composer. Recovering perfectionist. Minister-in-transition. Lover of puns. Hijacker of rock song references. Questioner of the status quo.
I'm not really a rebel. Just a sincere Christ-follower with a thirst for significance that gets me into trouble. My quest has taken me over the fence of institutional Christianity. Here are some of my random thoughts along the way. Read along, join in the conversation. Just be nice.
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Good thoughts. Our corporate worship should be an outflow of the worship we give God in our ordinary day-to-day lives as we live out of his grace and love. If what we do each day is to show how worthy God is, then it will come naturally when we gather together.
Maybe if we had this attitude in the church, it would end the “worship wars” that tear so many congregations apart.
This is a great post Jeff.. I liked the thoughts about the newness of chorus-style worship.. I especially liked this:
“the song lyrics we do have in Scripture (e.g., the Psalms) are a lot deeper than the superficial “Jesus-I-love-You-so-much” lyrics we are writing today”
I think that guys especially are turned off by this syrupy style of worship.. we guys aren’t really looking for a boyfriend to sing to 🙂
Jeff,
I just curious…have you ever considered that maybe we have labeled singing as “worship,” when in reality “singing” is only ONE of MANY expressions of worship? Quite honestly, I do not use the term “worship” anymore to describe singing, because singing itself is only one aspect. To me, worship is a constant ongoing communion with father in how we express our love to him through are daily lifestyle. For example: Worship can be expressed as doing a job or task with honor, respect, hard-work and love out of gratitude that we have been given the gift of the opportunity of the task itself and to glorify God through the task.
Secondly, I can understand where your heart is currently in terms of your questioning Christian music/songs. I was a member on the “worship team” of the last congregation I attended, as well as a member in the choir.
Before I go one, let me say that I am, in NO way saying that I’m against singing corporately or privately. I think it certainly has a place where one can express their love and glorify God.
However, after leaving the institutional church, Papa, Son and Spirit began to reveal to me how MANY, what has been termed “Christian songs/music” really don’t have lyrics that are accurate representations of who our amazing and loving Father truly AND do not give a message that we are living in the New Covenant. For example, such songs as “Rain Down” implies that we are asking God to “come down” from Heaven on High. He already HAS come down, as He lives in our hearts. And, this song, specificually was not meaning the 2nd coming of Christ. Secondly, the song “Draw Me Close to You,” a very popular favorite. It’s melody is very touching, yet what do the lyrics imply? That we are “far” from God, and that He is separate from us. It implies a desperate plea for God to “draw” us near to Him. HE IS WITHIN US – IN OUR HEARTS.
Like you, my heard craved a new way to express my love for Him through music, since it still remains an important part of my life. I have discovered new ways, besides singing, yet, I continue to sing to Him. I’ve found wonderful secular songs/music that have a heart that reflects true love. As well, my music repetoire contains many “Christian” music as well, but I’m much more choosy about such songs, as I pick those whose lyrics are New Covenant, love and grace-based.
You make several excellent points, Jeff. Specifically about the superficial “Jesus-I-love-You-so-much” lyrics, the romantic infatuation that imbues much of Christian music today, and expressing our worship to God through loving Him through our relationship with Him and with others.
Great post, todady, Jeff. Good stuff.
Blessings,
~Amy
http://amyiswalkinginthespirit.blogspot.com
This is exactly why I think you have the heart to “lead worship,” or whatever term you want to use to refer to the part of the coming together where we sing. I would trust you more than I trust someone who thinks they are leading IT…THE THING…Worship in all that it is. Once someone understands that it is only a part then they have the right to lead us in a portion of the service where we sing of our love to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Great post Jeff.
Co-heir,
In a future post, I want to delve a bit more into the overflow element of our worship. BTW, I meant to reference your last post in this one, b/c some of your thoughts played out here…but I forgot. Sorry. I’ll stick an edit in there.
KB,
I totally understand the guy issue here… 🙂 That is also probably worth another blog post. Thanks, guys. 🙂
Amy,
What you have described has become my basic definition of worship as well…without doing away with the idea of worshiping to music, of course. Expanding the definition rather than changing it completely. I do think we’ve brought confusion and a limited understanding of worship by labeling our music times that way….As to the references you made to some of the specific song examples you mentioned–AGAIN, I can see a specific post dealing with that issue. (Shoot, I’m going to have to start writing this down…) 🙂
Barb,
My only response is that your words have encouraged me more than you know. Thanks.
No problem. My thoughts are available for anyone to use. 🙂
I’m rethinking worship too.
When I was “leading”, I wasn’t really worshiping most of the time, especially when I was playing an instrument. I was thinking ‘what’s the next chord, i can’t hear my monitor, congregation is staring at me, this set is too long, wrong songs? pastor approval? who’s that new couple, wonder if they’re musicians’ and many other free floating thoughts.
Now, I think I’m closer to worship when I’m driving down the road enjoying a beautiful landscape and being really grateful for God’s goodness and love.
You have described what the requirement of true worship is!
LOVE and love defined as laying down ones life.
How did Jesus worship the Father whilst on Earth?
“Your will, not mine be done”.
“I do nothing except what the Father tells me to do”.
That is worship.
The laying down of ones life is the taking up of the cross daily.
In Romans we are told “Reckon yourselves dead….”
The embrace of the Cross of Jesus is true worship.
Singing songs corporately and otherwise is great but if it comes from the heart and mind of man it is like filthy rags in His Presence.
But if it is prompted by the Indwelling Lord of all creation ….Ah! true worship.
It is interesting to note that Lucifer appeared to be the “Worship Leader” in eternity past! Since he is now the prince of this world does he use “worship” as one very effective counterfeit to the true?
Just as “Church” is a flesh led counterfeit of the “Ecclesia” and the way it should meet.
And I heard another voice out of Heaven saying, My people, come out of her, that you may not share in her sins, and that you may not receive of her plagues;
(Rev 18:4)
a brother
Rom.12:1-2 tells us how to do true biblically worship. We worship by being transformed and equipping others in transformation and equipping, that way the transformation never stops at just one. Jesus is the only model we follow in our understanding of how to be the church. Not once does scripture tell us that He worshipped or danced as we do today! Even if we extend the model to the Apostles and the early church of the New Testament, not once is dance mentioned as a part of worship. Yet with both Jesus and the Apostles we see that equipping was their battle plan of worship. We’re not opposing dance here, just suggesting that if it stops at me it isn’t the real thing! It’s kinda like “I got mine, I’m outta here”! What good does it do if we open up an atmosphere in worship and never capture one soul for the kingdom in the process?
There’s a purpose in worship, there’s a purpose in the dance and that purpose NEVER changes. The purpose is to catch the rhythms of His heart and move with Him as He goes out to complete His love war for the harvest.
Blessings
Don
I have a question for you regarding this statement, ” the particular corporate worship format we use nowadays–the worship leader planning a songlist and directing a group–is a fairly new concept.”
So what is your understanding of statements in the Psalms like in Psalm 4 which says, “For the choir director; on stringed instruments.”
This sure seems to be instruction for a leader (choir director) who is planning to lead the people in worship… David even tells him what kind of instrument to use.
I am curious to read your thoughts.
Don,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Regarding your remarks about dance specifically…it’s too much to elaborate on here, but I think it is wisdom to take the whole counsel of Scripture into account, and not just what it does not *specifically* say Jesus and the Apostles did. Jesus was a Jew, and dance was an integral part of Jewish culture. It would be unreasonable to assume Jesus did not dance just because it doesn’t specifically *say* He did. Just sayin’. 🙂 But your point about worship not being just “about me” is well taken.
J.R.,
Thanks for an excellent question.
I think “choir director” is an unfortunate interpretation here, because the choir actually has its roots in ancient Greek theater and was not part of Hebrew culture at all. A better translation is “chief musician”, which can have a wide variety of meanings besides simply “song leader” or “worship leader.”
Even when choirs made their way into the church around the 4th century A.D., they were (and still are) selected groups of singers, set apart from the congregation. So to superimpose our modern concepts about choirs and congregational singing onto what what happening in David’s day–that probably results in a misinterpretation. People sang, and large groups worshiped all at once; but to assume the chief musician led worship the same way we do it today–there just isn’t enough evidence to support that, IMHO. Truth be told, we don’t really know *what* it looked like, or sounded like.
Jeff
I understand your point. My point was that NT scripture talks a lot about worship but never mentions what we call worship. Perhaps we missed the boat.
Blessings
Don
Thanks, Don, for clarifying your point. Again…well taken. 🙂
Jeff
Fair enough Jeff. I like this part of your first post, “ut we must still differentiate between method and principle, and prophetic implications aside–our way of leading worship is still a method. And methods are subject to change. ” the emphasis I get then is, not that you are seeking tear down what others are doing or what many enjoy, but seeking to “worship” through music in new and diverse ways.
Keep it up brother.
J.R.
Yes! You’ve caught my drift well here. My desire is for expansion, not replacement. There are those (like Viola) who would probably decry the whole worship leader thing as prohibiting shared group leadership, and be harder on it that I. But I have been blessed beyond measure in worshiping that way over the years, as have many others, and I don’t think you can just write that off. God shows up when His people are hungry for Him, no matter what form they are using. And no way would I devalue something that is genuinely helping people make the connection with God.
I think I am aware,though, that anything can become religious–anything. Whenever we forget it’s a method and start treating it like a principle, it gets religious. So I’m taking a cue from the dryness I’m personally feeling about this, and putting things into perspective. And without doing away with that form entirely, I’m looking at what *else* we can do to express our hearts.